Police launch probe into claims Angela Rayner broke electoral law

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It is being reported that Angela Rayner, who serves as the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, is currently being investigated by the Greater Manchester Police due to accusations that she may have violated electoral law. This is said to be in relation to claims that she did not correctly declare her primary place of residence on official documents.

Conservative MP James Daly informed the police that Rayner may have engaged in illegal activity during the early 2010s by providing incorrect details about her place of residence.

The police are being blamed for misusing their time and resources as they opened a probe into purported electoral violations, which seems to have gone beyond the legal time frame to initiate any action.

Rayner alleged that the Tories launched a vilification effort against her, but declared that she would voluntarily resign if found guilty of a crime.

She stated: "I have consistently emphasized the significance of honesty and responsibility in politics. Consequently, it is vital that an independent and unbiased investigation is conducted without any political interference as soon as possible."

The authorities are currently reviewing allegations that the deputy Labor leader may have violated electoral regulations while residing between two residences in Stockport in the period leading up to her appointment as a Member of Parliament in May 2015.

The Greater Manchester Police announced on Friday that they are currently examining if any illegal activities have been carried out. This is due to a review of the details presented to them by Mr. Daly.

The accusations were initially reported in a book written by ex-Conservative vice chairman, Lord Michael Ashcroft. The portions of the book were published in the Mail on Sunday newspaper.

According to the book, Rayner purchased her old council house on Vicarage Road in Stockport with a 25% discount in 2007. She then sold it at the current market rate eight years later, making a profit.

If her voting information was associated with the property, then she wouldn't need to pay capital gains tax for the profit made.

According to Daly, some residents of the area stated that Rayner might have been primarily residing at a residence on Lowndes Lane, which belonged to her ex-husband while her brother was living at the house located on Vicarage Road.

Scott Wortley, who is a teacher of law at the University of Edinburgh, mentioned that there is a time limit for prosecuting any crime, which is one year after it has been committed.

Providing inaccurate data is against the law according to section 13D of the Representation of the People Act 1983. Nevertheless, there is a time limit of one year for initiating any legal action outlined in the act.

The law permits a prolongation of the due date in extraordinary situations, subject to approval from a judge. Nevertheless, this only elongates the deadline for an additional 12 months.

According to Wortley, the Manchester police's announcement of investigating a possible offense seems completely useless. He thinks that it is a waste of the police's precious time and resources.

He mentioned that even if the police were looking into a different crime, like a tax-related matter concerning Rayner's house sale in 2015, the statute of limitations for bringing charges for that would expire in 2021 after six years.

People with inside knowledge of Rayner and Sir Keir Starmer's team have said that they don't know the exact details of what the GMP is looking into. The police force has been contacted for more information.

The Conservative party and media outlets that support the Tory party have been relentlessly pursuing the matter, pointing out that Rayner has frequently advocated for high moral and ethical codes in public affairs as a member of the Labour party.

People who criticized Rayner pointed out a tweet she made in 2022 regarding former leader Boris Johnson and the scandal known as "Partygate". In the tweet, Rayner questioned how Johnson could remain as prime minister if his residence in Downing Street was being investigated by the police.

Rayner's current situation is a preview of the intense political and media scrutiny that Starmer and his team may encounter if they transition from opposition to government.

On Friday, Starmer expressed his welcome towards the investigation as it gives us an opportunity to conclude this issue. He believes that Angela Rayner has not violated any regulations, giving him complete trust in her.

Rayner has declined to release the tax guidance she was given regarding the sale of a property over ten years ago. She stated that she will only disclose it if the Conservative Members of Parliament publicly share comprehensive information on their own monetary affairs.

On Thursday, she stated, "If you reveal yours, I'll reveal mine."

According to a tax specialist named Dan Neidle, Rayner may have been accountable for paying £1,500 in capital gains tax when she sold her two-bedroom semi in 2015 and made a profit of £48,500.

Although, this would not have been true if she had invested over £15,000 in enhancing her house on Vicarage Road or if she and her spouse had together selected it as their primary dwelling.